2013 Jeep Compass

Routine

Owners filed 80 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
53,000 milesMedian miles at failure

56 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train23
201
Air Bags14
323
Engine8
100
Electrical System8
010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)6
000
Unknown or Other4
001
Structure › Body3
000
Seat Belts3
000
Suspension2
100
Seats2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Seat Belts › Pretensioner16V668000
Filed Sep 15, 20161,435,625 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk. If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2025FL

Catalytic converter problem Warning engine light keeps coming on. This has happened over several years. It now comes on everyday. It is now in shop to be fixed and code shows front converter is bad which includes the manifold.

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Oct 14, 2024MA

Attached is a work order request for a defective door handle on my Jeep Compass. The driver side door handle we have determined is wrapped in metal and is delaminating. It has caused a hand injury to my daughter due to the wrapping on the door handle coming apart and being extremely sharp. We have taken the car to our local dealer for inspection and they have verified that this is not normal and we believe the part is defective. Additionally, the passenger side handle is starting to do the same. This is a dangerous defective part and attempts to correspond with Jeep/Stellantis have been completely ignored.

Seats
Filed Jan 29, 2024TX

Passenger seat headrest ejected itself. Outside of the car was getting a handwash and suddenly the headrest just shot open. Now nobody is able to sit in passenger seat safely. Unsure how this could happen as car was operating just fine prior.

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 14, 2023OH

This vehicle before had the cvt transmission replaced as it was over heating/inoperable. Complete replacement. Flash forward not even a year I was driving and thr transmission made a noise and basically locked up causing the driver to hit curb at high rate of speed along the freeway. The vehicle again is disabled with a transmission defect and requires replacement. 2nd transmission failure and will need replacement and caused injury during collision with curb at high rate of speed without any indication lights of a mechanical issue prior to impact.

Power Train
Filed Nov 1, 2022PA

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. June 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 aug 2022 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power.

Seats
Filed Jun 5, 2022SC

While preparing to enter my car today (6/5/2022) I heard a fairly loud popping/exploding sound. I quickly backed away from the car then approached it again and realized the passenger headrest, though attached, had basically split in 2. Upon further inspection I couldn’t see why this had randomly happened as I didn’t have a passenger with me and hadn’t touched it. I tried to force it back together but couldn’t figure out how to get it to move so I left it as is. Later this evening I started searching online for how to fit it back together and it appears this happens frequently especially with jeeps and is a failure of a safety feature called active headrest. I went back out to look at it and saw exactly what I had seen other drivers mention, there’s 2 teeny tiny pieces of black plastic that apparently keep it from deploying and the right one had cracked. Just lucky that no one was sitting there at the time or that it wasn’t the driver headrest while driving - very unsafe, I can’t even believe a “safety feature” is approved when it’s only withheld by a piece of plastic so small you wouldn’t think twice about discarding it if you found it while opening a toy.

Power Train
Filed Mar 19, 2022CA

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. Oct 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 Oct 2021 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power. 22 Nov 2021 they had me pay them $3000.00 and they ordered a transmission. 15 Mar 2022 the transmission arrived they installed it and a transmission cooler and new sparkplugs cleared all troubles, I paid another $3,815.62 and got my vehicle back in good working order. No accidents or injuries were incurred by the sudden decelerations due to our safe driving skills.

Power Train
Filed Dec 14, 2021NY

Jeep first issues was at 89k, not shifting. Second issues was at100k transmission over heated. Dealer/ warranty had me changed the fluid and filter for transmission. Third issue, 130k transmission made a whining noise and stopped. Jeep was towed to the shop. After doing some research, turns out that the transmission on several these Jeep’s have same issue. The transmission should be on manufactured recall.

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2021111,000 milesPA

PURCHASED 2013 JEEP COMPASS WITH 109,000 MILES. NOTICED IT BURNED OIL BAD. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, CHANGED OIL TO SYNTHETIC AS RECOMMEND AND FILTER. CONTINUED TO HAVE EXCESSIVE OIL BURN. 3 BOTTLES EVERY 2 WEEKS. WAS DRIVING IT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SOMETHING DIDNT FEEL RIGHT., SHE PULLED OVER AS OIL LIGHT CAME ON. NOW OIL WAS CHECKED AND WAS FULL PRIOR TO DRIVING 40 MINUTES, NOW OIL LIGHT ON, CHECKED OIL AND WAS LOW. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE AND ENGINE IS FRIED. AT 111,000 MILES, NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. ENGINE IT IS IS A 2.4L . IF MY DAUGHTER DIDNT THINK QUICK TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT

Power Train
Filed Jan 10, 2021102,000 milesCA

I PURCHASED THIS JEEP A YEAR AGO VERY LOW MILEAGE. ABOUT 2 WEEKS INTO IT THE JEEP STARTED HEATING UP. LONG STORY SHORT THIS VEHICLE AT ITS 100K MILES NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT THAT COST ME OVER 3000.00 WITH SUCH LITTLE MILEAGE I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR., IVE HEARD SEVERAL OF THESE JEEP COMPASSES NEEDING TRANSMISSIONS UNDER 100K MILES

Power Train
Filed Dec 28, 2020116,000 milesNC

DANGEROUSLY DROPPING INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING OR ABILITY TO OVERRIDE FOR SAFETY. EARLY FULL SYSTEM TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT NO OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. FINALLY DIED BY MAKING WHINING NOISE, GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STAYING THERE. THE EXCESSIVE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES IT NOT COST EFFECTIVE. ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE ALTOGETHER.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 10, 202074,000 milesNY

I HAD MY JEEP IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE & IT WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A RUSTED SUBFRAME. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I MADE THE APPOINTMENT. IT WAS EVALUATED & DETERMINED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME ISSUE WITH PREMATURELY RUSTING. I CONTACTED JEEP CUSTOMER CARE ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WILL NOT HELP. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME IS OVER $1,300. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE & IF NOT REPAIRED WILL CONTINUE TO CORRODE & DIMINISH THE HANDLING OF MY JEEP AS WELL AS THE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT.

Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2020130,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE ALSO STARTED TO HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED ZAPPONE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM CLIFTON PARK LOCATED AT 1780 AL-9, CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065, (518) 383-2277, AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO HER RESIDENCE AND INFORMED HER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 20201 milesNC

CVT TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DANGEROUSLY DROPPING INTO LIMP MOLD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING OR ABILITY TO OVERRIDE FOR SAFETY. EARLY FULL SYSTEM TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT NO OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. FINALLY DIED BY MAKING WHINING NOISE, GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STAYING THERE. THE EXCESSIVE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOT COST EFFECTIVE. ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE ALTOGETHER.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 1, 202080,000 milesOH

FAULTY TIPM SHORTLY OUT SOME ELECTRICAL RELAYS. STATIONARY COOLING FANS DON'T SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN IGNITION KEY IS OFF. AC BLOWER FANS INTIMIDATE ON AND OFF. AT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR 10 DAYS. ALL RELAYS CHANGED 'ALL SENSORS CHANGE. TIPM DIAGNOSIS SAYS SHORT IN TIPM. $1500.00 PART AFTER REPAIR OF RELAYS AND SENSORS. TOTAL $2500+. BILL. AWAITING NEW TIPM TO COME IN. CHRYSLER CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2020NC

DRIVING MY CAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED, THE LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHT CAME ONE, AND THE LOST ABILITY TO MOVE AT MORE THAN 5MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS FINE. GOT IT HOME AND TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. DEALER ASSURED ME THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AND COULD FIX IT. GOT IT BACK A FEW DAYS LATER AND IT WAS FINE. FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS, MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND DID THE SAME THING. SHE MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, A 4 LANE MAJOR HIGHWAY, SAFELY AND CALL ME. CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD IT TOWED. WAS TOLD THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING OVER AND RESET THE COMPUTER IT SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO. AGAIN, CAR WAS FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THE WHOLE PROCESS STARTED OVER. AGAIN, THE THIRD TIME, HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED AND WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEIR ADVICE WAS THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM STILL RUNNING SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR 4 YEARS NOW. REALLY, THAT IS YOUR EXPERT ADVICE. I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH ANYMORE AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER BECAUSE THIS THING IS A DEATH TRAP. CANT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY I CAN UNLOAD IT, WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER JEEP IN MY LIFE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 5, 202076,000 milesFL

HEADREST DEPLOYS WHILE NO CRASH HAS HAPPENED

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 25, 202050,000 milesKY

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON AND VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP" MODE CREATING THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE OVER 10MPH. WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE JEEP STALLS AND THEN GOES INTO LIMP MODE. SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN THESE SCENARIOS. HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE THE JEEP HAD 50,000 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE AS OF JUNE 2020 (ISSUES BEGAN IN JAN 2019). EXTREME HESITATION HAS OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON AN ON-RAMP ALSO CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AS TO NOT GET UP TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED TO SAFELY MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. CVT TRANSMISSION BEGAN OVERHEATING AT 55,000 MILES, ALSO CAUSING THE JEEP TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 10, 2020SC

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH BENSONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN GREER SC SINCE THE SPRING OF 2019 ABOUT RECALLS ON MY JEEP. FINALLY, MY DAD DECIDED TO JUST CALL CHRYSLER AND THEY SENT US TO THE BIG O WHICH IS IN GREENVILLE SC THE INSTRUCTED US THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS AND CALL US WHEN THEY COME IN. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 7 MONTHS SINCE WE CALLED THEM IN EITHER JUNE OR JULY ABOUT THIS AND SINCE IT IS AIRBAGS AND SEATBELTS WE ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK.

Power Train
Filed Dec 2, 201913 milesMI

2013 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE. CVT TRANS HEARD UP AND STOPS ALL POWER. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET COOL AND REPEAT PROCESS EVERY 10 MILES OR SO

20 of 80 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20264100Routine
202526010Routine
202452010Routine
202345200Routine
2022222400Above average
202180020Routine
2020139120Routine
2019329220Above average
2018941650Above average
2017228430Above average
2016293120Above average
2015113120Routine
2014306270Above average
2013 — this page80150Routine
2012184451Fatalities reported
2011187320Routine
201071230Routine
200944100Routine
200893000Routine
2007259360Above average

Compare every Compass year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 15, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.